Advice on comics not to be laughed at: Old Beanos or Danys could be worth small fortune
They are clogging up lofts across the West Midlands.
Fans of comics from yesteryear often struggle to part with their much loved magazines from decades gone by that kept them entertained when they were youngsters.
And those who have held onto their old Beano and Dandy favourites, may be in for a treat as they could be sitting on a tidy sum of cash.
A Stafford collector of books and comics has set up an online advice service after finding hidden gems in his own collection.
Adam Teitge, aged 27, has been collecting books and comics since the age of 10.
He has fond memories of visiting a junk shop in Stafford's Tithe Barn Road with his £2 pocket money and still recalls the excitement of seeing an old comic for sale in the window.
Adam, from Kingston Hill, now has 2,200 comics and about 400 books.
He once bought a book for £1 and after researching it he discovered it was worth considerably more. Adam sold the book to a 'very keen' buyer in Australia for £750.
Adam found another treasure when he was 13 when he bought a book because he liked the cover - an illustration of New York' s first skyscraper being built.
He remembered the advice his grandmother gave him: to look for 'treasures' inside a book.
Inside he found a stamped envelope dated August 30 1907 plus a series of letters, telegrams and newspaper clippings.
Adam was in awe at finding something that had been tucked away in the book for over 100 years.
But he was even more astounded to find that all the hand-written letters and the telegram were written and signed by the author of the book, John Foster Fraser.
"The book is not a first print and the author is unlikely to be known today," Adam said.
"But he was a famed journalist of the time and a famed traveller of the world. In 1899 he circled the world on a bicycle.
"I have kept this book on my shelf for the last 13 years as a reminder to always check the contents. You never know what may be inside."
Adam, who is a call taker for the Ambulance Service, says his favourite comic is the Dandy.
He is also proud of his set of Harry Potter books - in Chinese.
Adam can be contacted via Facebook and Twitter. He has also set up an eBay shop called Stafford Books and Comics.
"I can help people unlock the value of their books or comics," he added. "People do not know the value of items they have at home.
"And books or comics are rarely, if ever, featured on antique shows.
"Even at car boot sales books and comics are glanced over. There might be hidden gems lurking in those boxes that no-one gives a second glance at."
Twitter users can contact Adam for advice @booksandcomics
See Twitter.com/booksandcomics, facebook.com/booksandcomics or email ateitge@hotmail.co.uk
